Two weeks to go... I think I'm ready!

[ukcatfan]

The Poly setup just does not lend itself for very good decorations. They have some, but not as impressive as the other deluxe resorts in my opinion.

Kevin

 

[jann1033]

STAND BACK! OR I'LL HIT YOU WITH MY MINTY BREATH!

Now there's a bad TV movie in the making!

It could actually work with those dorky camera-strapped-to-chest harnesses they sell... "don't make me fire the shutter! I'll do it! This isn't some prosumer point-n-shoot, this is a DSLR and I'm not afraid to use it!"

Or for the James Bond thing, you need to attach an LCD with big red numbers to countdown the 10-second timer on the delayed shutter release... "cut the red wire!"

 

[tinkspark]

You'll be easy to spot.

 

[Groucho]

Well, I'm here... if there's a moral to this trip so far, it is: do not get sick just before leaving for WDW! I started to feel bad a day or two before we left, and when we arrived, I was feeling pretty lousy; runny nose, fatigued, etc. My big plans for sticking around MGM late and videoing the fireworks with the monopod fell apart, we ate dinner, watched Fantasmic (no pics, I had my son on my lap which was quite satisfying anyway), and heading back at just after 9. I filled myself with generic Nyquil and hit the sack.

I felt better yesterday morning, and started the day OK. Shortly after noon, I started to feel extremely sleepy, like someone slipped me a tranquilizer or something! We headed back and moved from our studio at Saratoga Springs (to save points) to our one-bedroom where we'll be the rest of the time. (Which is extremely, extremely nice BTW!) We laid around and I took a short nap then we headed back to MK. We watched Spectro and Wishes and rode a few rides and I started to feel lousy again... we did manage to stick it out until midnight, the park was open until 2. If I was healthy, I would have been there to the end.

We've been lounging around the room this morning and are about to head out for Epcot, then back to MK for a character dinner reservation. I felt better again this morning so hopefully I won't spend the whole trip sick and grumpy!

Photo-wise, it turns out that my favorite lenses are the 50mm 1.4 (for the speed) and, as it turns out, the Zenitar 16mm has been a real star, I've used it quite a bit. (I can't wait to see how some of the 35mm shots with it come out!) After that, the kit 18-55mm, then the 50-200, then the Sigma 28mm, then the 400mm (unused so far though I did drag it around last night.) Generally it's been pretty painless carrying everything around (thank you, Op/Tech straps) but last night I did feel like a mule, with the camera bag, camera, and tripod slung over my shoulders.

Here's a few teasers so far:

I'm using dial-up, so my connection is very slow. I'm going to just leave it connected for as long as I can though. There are no unsecured wireless connections in range to sneak on to. Oh well... I may check in again if time permits but no guarantees.

 

[Groucho]

Oh, almost forgot - they wouldn't let me take the monopod on the plane.

No problem with the Tic-Tac remote, though, even though one of my sisters-in-law was really worried about it.

 

[jann1033]

Oh, almost forgot - they wouldn't let me take the monopod on the plane.

No problem with the Tic-Tac remote, though, even though one of my sisters-in-law was really worried about it.

well we would have read about you in papers... picturing the headlines....."Bomber Tries to Blow Up WDW Disguised As Overloaded Photographer.... suspected bomb found to be camera case with way more much stuff inside than normal humans carry....see complete story on page 26 D".

 

[Groucho]

Sigh... just got back from AK where the rain soaked us to the bone, on the one day my wife didn't bring a hat or anything more than a T-shirt... after loaning her one of my three layers, I got soaked, and in my recovering-from-sickness phase, I decided not to chance sticking it out. The worst was that by the time we left (after lunch at Tusker House), it had mostly stopped... but my teeth were chattering and we were all freezing. (I have a very light build so don't do well in the cold!) Ironically enough, my 21-month-old was having a great time!

I tried to get some shots at AK but it by the time we got to where I found stuff that I was after, it was pouring. I got a few but not what I would have liked. We still haven't seen the sun or a blue sky yet.

Maybe more updates later... hope for sunny weather for me!

 

[ukcatfan]

It still amazes me that the temp. in Orlando can be so different from down here. I am only 2.5 hours SW of there, but it is eleven degrees warmer here and we are getting the same storm front. Our local news is saying that it will mostly be gone by early tomorrow and that the high should set in. There is a small chance for rain again Friday, but not like today (so they say).

Now is the time to do your resort hopping, b/c they are always dry inside.

Hope you feel better. I have been sick there a few times myself. The worst was a stomach virus, but I am sure you don't want to hear about that.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Kevin, my parents have a condo on the canal in Cape Coral, and around Thanksgiving 2003, we spent four days there before four days at WDW. I remember eating lunch at a waterside restaurant in the afternoon the last day and just getting baked from the sun coming in through the windows, and that night, we were wearing full winter gear as we watched Fantasmic in the cold. It is amazing what that extra distance southwards makes. On the other hand, Orlando doesn't get the hurricanes like Cape Coral sometimes does. It is beautiful down there, though, my parents usually make about two one-month trips a year.

One of the most annoying things about being sick is that my nose has been plugged solid the whole trip, which cuts down greatly on your appetite and enjoyment of food... especially when you're on the dining plan! It does mean that I cannot smell my son's dirty diaper at all so I usually haven't minded changing it.

(no "teeth" smiley any more? Boo!)

No stomach problems though, phew!

Thank goodness this is a longish trip. We've barely had a chance to do anything... our MGM trip consisted of eating and Fantasmic (and the Osboune Lights, I suppose), and our AK trip consisted of eating and Jungle Trek. Two trips to MK and we haven't even seen Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, or Toontown.

Maybe I'll feel good enough to go into commando mode later?

 

[jonestavern]

WOW!!

Just one question... what did you take the picture with

Chris

 

[Groucho]

Whoooooooops! I didn't realize that the pictures weren't viewable. I changed the permissions so you should be able to see them. Sorry about that. That means that you should go back and view page 2 again.

Feeling slightly better this morning, about to hop in the shower, eat a cherry turnover we picked up from the Main St Bakery last night, and head for Epcot.

 

[Groucho]

Felt pretty good yesterday, feel fine today, I'll probably take a little generic Dayquil to keep the nose under control. I can tell that I felt better yesterday as I took a lot more photos than previous days - some 280+ or so.

It's frustrating using the laptop screen (especially on a cheap Dell corporate model) as the colors and brightness change so much depending on the angle of view... so I'm not doing anything more than running all the raws through the camera default settings.

Did I mention that it was cold and wet over at AK a couple days ago? The bats were bundled up tight...

Here's a very unusual photo, courtesy of Clamperpod and bulb mode... I have several variations on this, there's another I'll have to post later.

I didn't think we'd stay long enough for Illuminations, so I only had the monopod, not tripod, but I think a few of the photos turned out OK anyway. Here's the inferno barge in action... (which was not working last year and I forgot just how amazing it is!)

Here's another one.

Obviously the firework photos I've done were taken with the Zenitar, which works great for them IMHO, but I'll probably "de-fish" them when I'm back home.

 

[Groucho]

Nothing? Not a single comment? Is anybody reading this; should I bother posting further updates?

 

[Master Mason]

Nothing? Not a single comment? Is anybody reading this; should I bother posting further updates?

I'm reading it Groucho, the pics look great so far, keep them coming.... Makes me look forward to our trip in July. I even made ADR's this week

 

[ukcatfan]

I am reading. Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Keep taking the pics and don't forget to have fun!

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

OK, glad to see that I'm not going completely unheard. I'll do a full trip report later but I think it's kind of fun to hear live reports.

I'm glad to say that I felt fine yesterday and feel really good today! I can even breathe through both nostrils! Unfortunately I have a purple toe after smashing it in the pool yesterday and my son has a diaper rash, I'm heading out to pick up some ointment in a couple minutes. Four full days left, LOTS of attractions left to see - time for commando mode (minus time for pictures, of course!)

Here's a couple more quick photos.

This is a very difficult fountain to photo - too much dynamic range... I did many attempts and like this one the best.

One of the performers of "Romeo & Edna" in Italy having a good time.

Off to the Magic Kingdom!

 

[Furgus]

Glad to hear you are feeling better, and sorry to hear about your son. Hope you are having a good time.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Yes, I'm enjoying reading your updates and love seeing the pictures. Unfortunately, I often don't have anything intelligent to say in response, but if it makes you feel better, I can give an occasional *I can hear you now* reply.

The family updates are kind of a hoot. I'm not laughing at you, just chuckling at the familiarity of it all. Traveling with kids is like living in a sitcom!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm here! I'm enjoying your pictures, thanks for posting.

Would you do anything differently next time in re: to your equipment?

Hope you're feeling better and the diaper rash clears up soon.

Carry on...

 

[Tickla]

Keep on posting!! I look forward to your reports each day!! I will be leaving for the world in 10 days and reading your posts gets me sooo excited for the trip!!! Love seeing your pictures too!